BIOCAT

Title of the Sub-Project:
BIOCAT - Design and Development of a Catalogue for New Commercial Biocatalysts

Description:
Biocatalysis is an emerging reality for the industrial synthesis of drugs and fine chemicals. In fact, the use of enzymatic catalysts allows to reduce the chemical synthesis drawbacks, i.e. the use of toxic solvents and reagents as well as the problem of polluting waste. For a sustainable development (low environmental impact synthesis), the enzymatic processes are becoming very important; in this context, this Sub-Project proposes the production, selection and characterization of some biocatalysts of relevance for industrial application and the development of materials and information packages for commercial purposes.

BIOCAT's main focus is the design and creation of a catalogue presenting new biocatalysts for commercial purposes. A detailed description of each product will be provided, including technical characteristics, applications with examples, references, pack size and price. The activities can be summarized as follows:
1.) selection of enzymes (or microorganisms that can produce
     them)
2.) enzyme purification and characterization through
     established and/or newly developed activity assay tests
3.) immobilization of the enzyme on solid support
4.) Product Technical Document
5.) marketing.

The multidisciplinary approach of this Sub-Project will ensure the exchange of experiences between the participants and will contribute to further strengthen the existing collaborations with the common goal to develop a network for know-how-transfer. Meetings and interregional training activities/sessions will play a pivotal role. The final result of the Sub-Project will be the marketing of the enzymes collected in the catalogue. The inter-regional cooperation will be fundamental for the diffusion of the results within the regions involved. This goal can be achieved by organizing meetings and interregional training activities of the academic and/or companies personnel involved. Thus, new sustainable technologies will be made available to SMEs.

Project Partners:
- University of Pavia - Pharmaceutical Biocatalysis
  Laboratories (I)
- University of Linz - Institute for Biophysics (A)
- University of Milano-Bicocca - Dept. Biotechnology and
  Biosciences (I)


Contact:
For further questions please contact:
Mr Massimo Pregnolato
Università degli Studi di Pavia
Pharmaceutical Biocatalysis Laboratories
Via Taramelli 12
27100 Pavia
ITALY

Tel.: +39 0382-987583
Fax: +39 0382-987889

E-mail: maxp@pbl.unipv.it

Project_Sheet_BIOCAT